 |
 |
Hi Occasionally our diabetologists want to know if a patient is hypoglycaemic at the time of suggestive symptoms described by patients. The patients collect blood spots onto card, usually at home, which we elute and measure for glucose in the lab. This is not a new procedure and I know some other labs do the same. It avoids long periods of admission to wait for the symptoms to appear. The advantage of using blood spots over, say, a glucose meter is (I hope) a degree of analytical reliability for low glucose concentrations and also a degree of credibility as it is difficulty for the patient to generate fictitious glucose results, or hide genuine ones. My question: Although this works fine I wondered if any one has an alternative procedure that is less demanding on lab resources. Does any one suggest or recommend a glucose meter or equivalent? To 'sell' using a meter for this diagnostic purpose to our accuracy-conscious medical staff we would have to be sure of the analytical accuracy at low glucose levels. Ideally this performance should have been validated and peer-reviewed. Secondly it would be nice to have a lockable or even hidden memory to be confident of the results obtained. In the medium term I know their glucose will be monitored 24 x 7 by inhaled nanobots linked to the lab by a discrete wireless transmitter in their bathroom. However until then I was wondering if any of you have any practical suggestions? Regards Steve ----------------- This electronic message contains information from Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which may be privileged or confidential. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual(s) or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have received this electronic message in error, please notify us immediately at [log in to unmask] This Trust is committed to openness and transparency, and this commitment is supported by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Under the Act, any recorded information held by the Trust, including this message, unless legally exempt, may be subject to public disclosure. Activity and use of the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust E-mail system is monitored to secure its effective operation and for other lawful business purposes. Communications using this system will also be monitored for viruses and other harmful material. ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/